UN won't resume Gaza aid till Hamas returns stolen goods

Monday, February 09, 2009 |
Israel Today Staff

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) says it has suspended all aid shipments to the Gaza Strip and will not be resuming them until Hamas returns all the aid it has stolen, and maybe not even then.

Last Friday, Hamas gunmen hijacked a UN aid convoy entering Gaza and stole 200 tons of food. Earlier in the week, Hamas "police" raided a UN warehouse in Gaza City and confiscated thousands of blankets and food parcels.

Hamas officials later stated that the goods had been taken by force after the UN refused to hand them over to the Hamas government's Ministry of Social Affairs for distribution, and claimed that the dispute had since been resolved.

But in response to an email from Israel National News, UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said Hamas was lying, and that his agency was still waiting for the aid to be returned. Only then will UNRWA make a decision on whether or not to continue aiding Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Want more news from Israel?Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates